A coalition of aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress for state House of Assembly and House of Representatives in Ebonyi South Senatorial zone, have alleged that the committee sent to conduct the exercise has absconded with election materials.

They alleged further that, for four days since they arrived Abakaliki, the committee members have refused to conduct the election to select the party’s standard bearers for the respective positions

They also protested the non-conduct of the primary elections to select the party’s flag bearers.

The aspirants, at a press briefing on Saturday in Abakaliki, accused the state chapter of the APC of conniving with electoral officials to truncate the process.

They also alleged that the electoral committee for State and National Assembly APC primary elections for Ebonyi was plotting to write fake results and foist same on the party.

Mr. Chinedu Nwota, who briefed journalists on behalf of the group, regretted that the committee sent from Abuja to conduct the exercise in Ebonyi refused to conduct the primaries for the various positions.

Nwota, who is seeking nomination for the Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, alleged that the committee absconded with election materials.

“We want to bring to the notice of our great party, our constituencies, Nigerian public and, indeed, to all democracy loving people of the world, the grand plot to destroy internal democracy in our party.

“We want to bring to the knowledge of the National Party Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, national secretariat and Mr. President, attempt to sabotage the House of Assembly and House of Representatives primary elections in Ebonyi South Senatorial zone.

“The committee sent for the exercise has absconded with election materials and for four days since they arrived Abakaliki, they have refused to conduct the election to select the party’s standard bearers for the respective positions.

“Today, Sunday, October 7, is the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for parties to conclude their primaries and submit lists of candidates.

“We want to state that we were all screened and cleared by the party to stand for the primary elections, but wondered why the committee chose to shut us out from the primaries.

“We, therefore, call on the party’s national leadership and party elders to intervene in the matter to avert plunging the party into avoidable crisis in Ebonyi.

“We reiterate our commitment to ensuring that our party, the APC, emerges victorious in the 2019 general elections in Ebonyi,” Nwota said.

The aspirants vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate the process and submit lists of names of candidates that did not contest the primaries.

“The party in Ebonyi was scheduled to conduct its primary elections for the National Assembly on October 2 and 3; and elections into the State House of Assembly were billed for October 4; but while other senatorial zones have concluded theirs, Ebonyi South has not.

“We will resist any attempt to foist any list of fake candidates on our respective constituencies.

“We wish to state here and now that we are grossly dismayed by the action and conduct of the committee led by Mr. Lekkan Asimitola, with Mr. Emeka Umeakuka as its Secretary.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that efforts to speak with Asimitola and Umeakuka were not successful, as they could not be reached on their mobile phones.

APC State Chairman, Chief Eze Nwachukwu, could also not be reached for comments.